Naturopathy: A healthcare option

You've been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and have a couple of options ? fill the antibiotic your medical doctor prescribed or follow the instructions of a alternative healthcare provider and flood your system with vitamin C (500 mg every two hours) and a dose or two of goldenseal--a buttercup family herb.

Choices.

In Ukiah, Mendocino County, and across the world, there are growing options for alternative healthcare. In this area, there are a vast array of practitioners including process coaches, massage therapists, doulas, midwives, tai chi instructors, herbalists, therapists, colon hydro-therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, yoga classes, spiritual consultants, and educational therapist.

In January, a panel of health and human services professionals presented to the Leadership Mendocino Class of XX. One of the participants was Kambra Phoebus, a naturopathic doctor with an office on South Dora in Ukiah. Dr. Phoebus, along with her partner, Dr. Amy Kelchner, are two of three licensed naturopathic doctors in Mendocino and Lake counties.

"Naturopathic doctors combine the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science," shared Dr. Phoebus who incorporated thousands of hours of clinical work into her post-graduate education.

"By using protocols that minimize the risk of harm, naturopathic doctors help facilitate the body's inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health. It is the naturopathic doctor's role to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create a healing internal and external environment."

Naturopathic doctors believe in seven principles:

1) do no harm;

2) nature has healing powers;

3) identify and treat the cause;

4) treat the whole person;

5) the physician is a teacher;

6) prevention is the best cure, and

7) establish health and wellness.

"We strongly believe in the axiom, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,'" shared Dr. Phoebus.

Keith Dobbs works for Adventist Health and is a local freelance writer.